Mangalore: Netravati-Phalguni Jodukare Kambala off to an action-packed start

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Feb 8: The 6th annual 'Netravati-Phalguni' Jodukare Kambala, organized by the district administration and Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama as part of DK district Karavali Utsava, was off to an action-packed start here on Saturday, February 8.

A pair of Kambala buffaloes were knotted together in front of the Pilikula Gutthu House and brought to the Kambala fields in a  procession, accompanied by dignitaries.

The Kambala was then officially inaugurated by lighting the auspicious lamp by the dignitaries namely deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, MLA J R Lobo, Pilikula director S Krishnamurthy, Canara bus owners' association president Rajavarma Ballal, Baradibeedu Dr Jeevandhar Ballal, Shettars Consultant MD T Subbayya Shetty, MUDA commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and others.

The dignitaries walked along the Kambala field with the pair of buffaloes towards the starting post of the Kambala. The first pair of buffaloes was flagged off and made to run on the slush track, declaring the Kambala open.

This is the only annual Kambala that is organized by the district administration. More than 150 pairs of buffaloes are expected to take part in this 'Netravati-Phalguni' Jodukare Kambala, also known as Pilikula Kambala.

The winners will be awarded gold coin weighing 1.5 sovereign, 1 sovereign and so on. Along with gold coins, they will also get certificates from the district administration, which are not given in any other Kambala, and hence winning here becomes a matter of prestige for the participants.